Configurable and portable device for holding accessories on motor vehicle dashboards

Abstract

This invention is a mount base and strap assembly for attaching a holder apparatus for mobile devices such as a tablet computer, smartphone, navigation device or similar accessories to the dashboard or center console of a motor vehicle. The mount base is secured to the dashboard or console with one or more upper adjustable strap(s) and hook(s) to the defroster vent or other attachment point on the dashboard or on the console and one or more lower strap(s) and hook(s) to anchor points under the dashboard or center console. The adjustable straps provide for stability, portability, and flexible positioning. A user fastens an accessory holder apparatus of their choice on said mount base with fasteners suitable for said accessory holder.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for mounting accessory holders on a motor vehicle dashboard or console comprising
 a. a mount base comprising a plurality of support legs comprised of rigid elongated bodies connected by a crossbar comprised of a substantially planar surface and 
 b. first means for joining said support legs to said crossbar at sufficient angle to elevate said crossbar above vehicle controls on the dashboard and provide a stable platform and 
 c. a plurality of straps and 
 d. second means for attaching one end of each said strap to one of two opposing sides of said crossbar and 
 e. third means for adjusting the length of said straps and 
 f. a hook means for securing the distal ends of said straps on a dashboard or console and 
 g. fourth means for attaching said hooks to said straps
 whereby the bottoms of said support legs of said mount base will be positioned at the user's selected location on a dashboard or console and held to the dashboard securely by tension force provided by said straps. 
 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus for mounting accessory holders on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 1  wherein said mount base
 a. includes sufficient said support legs for said mount base stability against the dashboard or console and 
 b. said support legs are of sufficient length to elevate the said crossbar above the dashboard controls and 
 c. said crossbar is of sufficient length and width to create a stable platform for mounting accessory holders and 
 d. said mount base materials are of sufficient thickness and width to stably support the weight of common accessories and holders
 whereby said crossbar is elevated from the dashboard or console and is held securely against the dashboard or console by said support legs when said straps are attached to the dashboard or console. 
 
 
     
     
       3. An apparatus for mounting accessory holders on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 1  wherein said straps include
 a. at least one upper strap connected to the one side of said crossbar and 
 b. a pliable strap material of little or no elasticity such as nylon web and 
 c. at least two lower straps connected to the opposing side of said crossbar and 
 d. said lower straps material of predetermined elasticity and 
 e. said straps are of sufficient thickness and width to stably support the weight of said mount base and an attached device holder apparatus and electronic device and 
 f. the distal ends of said straps having a hook means and 
 g. said straps are of sufficient length for the said mount base to be positioned on the dashboard or console at a user selected location
 whereby the distal end of said upper strap or straps connects to a suitable dashboard or console edge above or forward of said mount base with a hook means and the distal end of said lower straps connect to a suitable dashboard or console edge below the mount base with a hook means to securely hold said mount base with compression and lateral vector forces. 
 
 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for mounting accessory holders on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a. said third means of  claim 1  for adjusting said straps in the form of buckles or triglides and 
 b. said forth means of  claim 1  for said hooks including three slots in the base or opposing end of said hooks to weave said strap through and back onto itself in order to lock said strap into position on the said hook body
 whereby the length of said straps and said hooks in combination can be adjusted at the hook attachment or at any location in the bight of said strap. 
 
 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for mounting accessory holders on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a. a round center hole and two adjacent round holes in said crossbar and 
 b. a plurality of elongated slot holes on two opposing sides of said crossbar
 whereby said holes are sized for common fasteners and said straps are attached to said crossbar by inserting said straps' bights through said slot holes on one end of each said strap and looping it back on itself through adjustable attachment means and held in place by tension force. 
 
 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for mounting accessory holders on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a. said first means of  claim 1  for attaching said support legs to said crossbar can be accomplished by means of fasteners or with molding or forming said support legs and said crossbar as a single unit with materials such as plastic or cutting and forming a single unit with metal, using common processes of the trade and 
 b. said second means of  claim 1  for attaching said straps to said crossbar can be accomplished by means of fasteners, with buckle or triglide mechanisms, hook and loop material, or with epoxy processes, using common processes of the trade. 
 
     
     
       7. An apparatus to support a mobile electronic device mount or cradle on a motor vehicle dashboard or console comprising
 a. a rigid planar material of sufficient width, length, and thickness to stably support an attached device holder of user choice and 
 b. said planar material is held in an elevated position over the dashboard or console by a plurality of load bearing members comprised of elongated material and 
 c. said load bearing members comprise support legs and 
 d. said support legs are attached to said planar material by fasteners or molded together or forming said support legs and said planar material as a single unit with materials such as plastic or cutting and forming a single unit with metal or similar material, using common processes of the trade and 
 e. said support legs are attached to said planar material at an angle adequate to elevate said planar material above the dashboard controls and 
 f. said planar material and said support legs comprise a platform and 
 g. a plurality of pliable straps adjustable by means of buckles, triglides, or similar objects located in the bight of said pliable straps and 
 h. one end of each of said pliable straps is attached to said planar material by means of fasteners, epoxy, or tension force and 
 i. said pliable straps are arranged on said planar material in locations to stably secure the apparatus to the dashboard or console and 
 j. the distal end of each of said pliable straps is attached to a hook material by means of fasteners, epoxy, hook and eye material, or tension force
 whereby the tension force of said pliable straps secured to the dashboard or console material edges with said hooks will hold said platform securely and stably at a user selected location on the dashboard or console. 
 
 
     
     
       8. An apparatus to support a mobile electronic device mount or cradle on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 7  further comprising
 a. at least one upper strap connected to the one side of said planar material and 
 b. a pliable strap material of little or no elasticity and 
 c. at least two lower straps connected to the opposing side of said planar material and 
 d. said lower strap material of predetermined elasticity and 
 e. said pliable straps are of sufficient thickness and width to stably support the weight of said platform and an attached device holder apparatus and electronic device and 
 f. said pliable straps are of sufficient length for said platform to be positioned on the dashboard or console at a user selected location
 whereby the distal end of said upper strap or straps connects to a suitable dashboard or console edge above or forward of said platform with a hook means and the distal end of said lower strap or straps connect to a suitable dashboard or console edge below the platform with a hook means to securely and stably hold said platform against the dashboard or console with both compression and lateral vector forces. 
 
 
     
     
       9. An apparatus to support a mobile electronic device mount or cradle on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 7  further comprising
 a. said hooks include three slots in the base or opposing end of said hooks to weave said pliable strap through and back onto itself
 whereby the length of said pliable straps and said hooks in combination can be adjusted at the hook attachment and the distal end of said pliable strap is secured to the hook body with tension force. 
 
 
     
     
       10. An apparatus to support a mobile electronic device mount or cradle on a motor vehicle dashboard or console of  claim 7  further comprising
 a. a round center hole and two adjacent round holes in said planar material and 
 b. a plurality of elongated slot holes on two opposing sides of said planar material
 whereby said round holes are sized for common fasteners and said pliable straps are attached to said planar material by inserting said pliable straps' bights through said elongated slot holes on one end of each said pliable strap and looping it back on itself through adjustable attachment means and held in place by tension force.